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Instruction for ships with a beam of more than 35 metres wishing to pass through the IJmuiden North Lock

2016/04
From 21 Jan 2016

The Director of the Public Body Central Nautical Management, who is also the State Harbour Master, announces the following:

The precise source of the instruction that ships with a beam of more than 35 metres wishing to pass through the IJmuiden North Lock must be assisted by two pilots could not be found on the Port of Amsterdam's website. Therefore the text of the Basijn (Announcement) in question, i.e. No.19/1988, will be given below:

DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR SHIPPING AND MARITIME AFFAIRS

REGION IJMOND

ANNOUNCEMENT TO SHIPPING IJMOND NORTH SEA CANAL AREA

Directorate-General for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Region IJmond

Announcement No. 19 / 1988 - 31 August 1988.

The Director of the Region IJmond of the Directorate-General for Shipping and Maritime Affairs at IJmuiden, who is also the State Harbour Master.

Having regard to:

  • the Shipping Traffic Act, article 2;
  • the Shipping Traffic Act, article 12;
  • the Compulsory Pilotage Decree, article 14;
  • the IMO Resolution A598 (15) (standard reporting format and procedure);
  • the Regulation Ordering a Pilot dated 18 August 1988, No. S/J 31.424/88;
  • the Shipping Traffic Act, article 31;
  • the Compulsory Pilotage Decree, article 2;
  • the Shipping Traffic Act, article 4 and article 10.

1. General

1.1 Nautical Fairway Management

The safe and efficient handling of shipping on National waterways in the IJmuiden-North Sea Canal Area is the responsibility of the Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. Duties and powers within the framework of the nautical fairway management including exemption from compulsory pilotage, ad hoc compulsory pilotage, admission policy, reports as referred to in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, etc., have been assigned to the competent authority.

The Director of the Directorate-General for Shipping and Maritime Affairs (DGSM) for the Region IJmond has been designated as the competent authority as referred to in the Shipping Traffic Act, article 2, and in the Regulation laying down Instructions of the Competent Authority.

The Vessel Traffic Service of the Directorate-General for Shipping and Maritime Affairs acting as instrument of the competent authority will implement the organisation of the maritime traffic on the following shipping lanes:

  • the area of the territorial sea that comprises the approach area to the Port of IJmuiden;
  • the IJmuiden Buitenhaven (Outer Harbour);
  • the IJmuiden Rijksbinnenhavens;
  • the North Sea Canal;
  • Zijkanaal G up to a length of 1,000 metres measured from the centre line of the main fairway.

1.2 Pilotage Service

As of 1 September 1988, the operational tasks of the Pilotage Service - such as pilotage support and facilities, and the collection of pilotage dues - will be privatised.

The new legislation - the Pilotage Act - will result in the pilots exercising their profession as members of an independent professional body under public law.

The Regionale Loodsencorporatie (Regional Maritime Pilots' Association) Amsterdam-IJmond is responsible for a "proper professional practice" in the IJmuiden-North Sea Canal Area, as referred to in article 13 of the Pilotage Act and in article 10 of the Shipping Traffic Act.

In the interest of an effective provision of services, the pilots have transferred their operational and support tasks to Loodswezen Nederland B.V. which will provide the planning, the transport and the collection of pilotage dues.

Ordering a pilot must be done in accordance with the Regulation Ordering a Pilot, dated 18 Augustus 1988. No. S/J 31.424/88 and the order must be sent to the following address: "Pilot VTS IJmuiden", as set out in more detail in paragraph 5.

2. Definitions

2.1 Draught

All draughts mentioned in this Announcement are seawater draughts (with a specific gravity of 1.026).

2.2 Channel-bound ships

Ships with a draught of more than 137 decimetres (45 feet) are channel-bound.

2.3 Pilot embarkation area

a. 52° 28' 48" N and 04° 25' 36" E, i.e. between 3 and 7 nautical miles west of the IJmuiden breakwaters in the vicinity of the leading line.

b. 52° 30' 00" N and 03° 50' 00" E, i.e. in the IJ-geul Approach Area for channel-bound ships.

2.4 Shipping Lanes under Compulsory Pilotage in the IJmuiden-North Sea Canal Area

The shipping lanes mentioned in article 10 of the Shipping Traffic Act have been designated as shipping lanes under compulsory pilotage.

For the IJmuiden North Sea Canal Area, these shipping lanes are indicated in the Annex to the Shipping Traffic Act and are described in more detail in paragraph 1.1 of this Announcement.

2.5 Registered Pilots

Pilotage on shipping lanes under compulsory pilotage will be carried out by registered pilots. Registered pilots are pilots whose names and qualifications are entered into a public pilots' register. Registered pilots are members of the NLC - the Nederlandse Loodsen Corporatie (Dutch Maritime Pilots' Association) - as well as of one of the four RLCs - Regionale Loodsen Corporaties (Regional Maritime Pilots' Associations).

For the IJmuiden-North Sea Canal Area, the RLC Amsterdam-IJmond will be the point of contact with regard to all practical and operational matters concerning the pilotage.

Registered pilots are independent professionals and are linked together in regional associations (professional partnerships) through which they offer their services.

They are given the exclusive authority to carry out pilotage on the following ships:

  • ships subject to compulsory pilotage;
  • ships on shipping lanes under compulsory pilotage making use of the services of a pilot on a voluntary basis;

2.6 Loodswezen Nederland B.V. (the Dutch Pilots' Organisation)

Loodswezen Nederland B.V. (LNBV) is the support and facilities organisation of the registered pilots and is responsible for the collection of pilotage dues. LNBV comprises of on-board and on-shore personnel, ships and company premises.

2.7 Ships subject to compulsory pilotage

a. With regard to ships subject to compulsory pilotage, 'length' shall mean:

the length as laid down in article 1, part m, of the Certificates of Tonnage Act 1981 (Stb. 122), and as stated in the International Tonnage Certificate (1969) as referred to in article 1, part i, of that Act.

b. Seagoing ships with a length of more than 40 metres are subject to compulsory pilotage on the shipping lanes under compulsory pilotage, unless - pursuant to article 5 of the Compulsory Pilotage Decree - they have been granted exemption.

c. Seagoing ships with a length of more than 60 metres, or ships with dangerous cargo as referred to in article 1, paragraph 1, part d, of the Compulsory Pilotage Decree, or ships subject to ad hoc compulsory pilotage, are subject to enforced compulsory pilotage, unless - pursuant to article 5 of the Compulsory Pilotage Decree - they have been granted exemption.

d. Ships with a beam of 35 metres or more wishing to pass through the North Sea Locks, as well as channel-bound ships, are obliged to make use of the services of two pilots.

2.8 Subject to enforced compulsory pilotage

The term 'subject to enforced compulsory pilotage' shall mean compulsory pilotage where, in the event of non-compliance with the obligation to take a pilot, a penal sanction will be imposed in addition to the payment of the pilotage dues.

The penal sanction can be derived from article 31, paragraph 5, of the Shipping Traffic Act and may include a term of imprisonment not exceeding two months or a third-category fine (currently up to 10,000.00 Dutch guilders).

2.9 Shore-Based Pilotage

If the pilotage cannot be performed by a pilot on board the ship, the pilot is authorised to deliver his services from shore or from another ship.

In IJmuiden, Shore-Based Pilotage (SBP) will be carried out from the Haven Operatie Centrum (Harbour Operation Centre). SBP is only possible for the offshore approach area if pilotage at sea is suspended due to weather conditions. Shore-Based Pilotage may also - on an ad hoc basis - be necessary in the interest of the safe embarkation of the pilot if the safety of the ship in the shipping lane under compulsory pilotage is in immediate danger.

2.10 Coordination

A common approach to maritime traffic by DGSM/Vessel Traffic Service and RLC A-IJ/LNBV is necessary.

The various reports and responsibilities will be integrated and - where necessary - be coordinated.

For the purpose of coordination, DGSM, RLC and LNBV have agreed that the Harbour Operation Centre (HOC) will be manned by authorised persons on a permanent basis.

They are the following persons:

  • DGSM the Centrale Verkeersdienstleider (CVDL) (the VTS manager);
  • RLC A IJ the Loodsdienstleider (LDL) (the Chief Pilot);
  • LNBV the Loodsbestelmedewerker (LBM) (the Pilot Dispatcher);

For the purpose of handling regional maritime traffic, the CVDL and the LDL will form a central information point: a so-called Coordination Platform. The Coordination Platform will be supported by LNBV.

The Coordination Platform is accessible through the following contact address:

Pilot VTS IJmuiden

Haven Operatie Centrum

Seinpostweg 19

1976 BT IJmuiden

3. Maximum allowed dimensions and draughts

3.1 IJ geul

3.1.1 Maximum draught

The approach channel to the IJmuiden harbour entrance (the IJ-geul) and the fairway through the IJmuiden Buitenhaven (Outer Harbour) and through the Noorderbuitenkanaal (Northern Channel) to Buitenkade 2 of Hoogovens are accessible for ships with a maximum draught of 165 decimetres (54 feet).

3.1.2. Swinging abeam of Buitenkade 2 of Hoogovens

Owing to the available room abeam of Buitenkade 2, ships that are planning to swing in that area may/are obliged to meet the following requirements:

  • A length over all of 300 metres or less if they have a draught of 165 decimetres;
  • A draught of 121 decimetres or less if they have a length between 300 and 350 metres;
  • In view of the available water depth, these ships have to consult with the VTS about the starting time of this manoeuvre if they have a length over all between 250 and 300 metres and a draught of more than 150 decimetres.

3.2 IJmuiden North Sea Locks (see Announcement 11/93)

3.2.1 Maximum dimensions without a permit

For passing through the IJmuiden North Sea Locks without a permit, the following maximum dimensions shall apply:

  • Length over all 325 metres;
  • Maximum breadth 42 metres;
  • Draught 131 decimetres.

3.3 Maximum dimensions for the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal (ARK)

  • Length over all: 185.00 metres
  • Breadth: 22.80 metres
  • Draught; 33 decimetres. (in the future 45 decimetres)
  • Height: 89 decimetres in relation to NAP

Specification Port of Amsterdam (GHB) 271290

Permits

  • for exceeding the maximum permitted draft and/or breadth;
  • for carrying out special transports;
  • for realising events, etc.
  • for carrying out operations which may endanger the safety of other ships.

Permits need to be applied for at least 7 days in advance through the Head of the VTS.

When issuing a permit, the competent authority may prescribe the use of more than one pilot pursuant to article 11, under c, of the Shipping Traffic Act.

7. Announcement 09/86 is herewith cancelled.

8. This Announcement shall enter into force as of 01 September 1988.

The Director of the Directorate-General for Shipping and Maritime Affairs/Region IJmond

who is also the State Harbour Master,

ir. I.F.H.C.G. van den Enden.

NOTE: The relevant article 2.7, paragraph d, of the Announcement (referring to ships subject to compulsory pilotage) is still in force today.